Shrimp-seine-hauling device.



M. FOUNTAIN, JR. SHRIMP SEINE HAULING- DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1914.

1, l 33, l 20. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

THE NORRIS PE-KERS COA, PHOC-LIT 1^ WASHINGTONV D, CA

M. FOUNTAIN, JR.

SHRIMP SEINE HAULING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1914.

1,1 33, 1 20, Patented Mar. 23, 19,15.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2A 1 frz; E I.

,W H l ////W-/% THE NORRIS PETERS 60 PHOTO-LITHOI. WASHINGTON, D. c,

MARTIN FOUNTAIN, JR., or BILoXI, MISSISSIPPI.

SIIEIMP-SEINE-HAULING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

Application led March 30, 1914. Serial N o. 828,218. 1

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, MARTIN FOUNTAIN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Biloxi, in the county of Harrison and State of Mississippi, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shrimp-Se1ne Hauling Devices, of which the following isa specification. Y

lThis invention relates to improvements 1n seines and more particularly to a shrimp seine hauling device.

It is the object of this inventionto provide a device which while the seine is being drawn will keep the lead line upon the b.ottom, retain the portions of the lead line hauled into the boat close together, and will cast off the lead line when the seine reaches the sack or pocket.

The advantages of this device are its simplicity of construction and operation, and its particular advantage is that It will auto matically cast off the lead line when the sack or pocket of the seine is reached. As the parts are all stationary in relation to each other there is no mechanism to get out of order, and as its action is automatic less labor is required in hauling the seine.

While the preferred form of this invention is illustrated upon the accompanying sheets of drawings, yet it is to -be understood that minorv `detail changes may be made without departing vfrom the scope thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, illustrating the application of' this invention at the beginning of the haul ing of the seine. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the casting oil of the lead line when the sack cr pocket has been reached.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail plan View of' the device. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section view taken centrally through Fig. 4.

Shrimp seines usually comprise a circular net 1 with a lead line 2 at the bottom and a cork line 3 at the top to retain the net in a vertical position and is provided with an elongated sack or pocket et extending from one side intermediate the two lines. Unless some means is provided for retaining the lead line upon the bottom when hauled into the boat to uniformly retract the net the shrimp will escape under the lead instead of being forced into the sack or pocket.

The embodiment of this invention comprises a flat base 5, preferably of metal, provided with means for engaging the lead line and is of sufficient weight toremain upon the bottom, or nearly so, during the hauling of the seine. The means for engaging the lead lines comprises two cleats 6 6, preferably of metal, securedV `upon the top of the base or cast integral therewith.

The body 7 of each cleat is substantially flat curving upward at the rear into an upstandingl elbow 8 having the sides at the front curved in a horizontal plane. The cleats arepla'ced upon the'base 5 with their rear adjacent sides parallel and a sufficient distance apart to allow ofthe passage of a bight-of the lead line with the front portions curved away from each other. The adjacent sides of the body portions are undercut to form grooves 9 which extend from the forward ends of the vcurved portions to the elbowsl 8 at the rear where the grooves are curved upward withinthe rear sides of the elbows, the grooves being of sufficient size to receive and guide the lead line. `The upper surfaces of the cleats are tapered or curved toward the overhang of the` grooves.

A screw eye, ring bolt or other means of at# tachment 10 for a line is Secured centrally of the base at the rear of the elbows 8.

When it is desired to haul the seine the lead line 2 of the net 1 at a point opposite the sack or pocket 4 is raised to the boat and a bight of the lead line passed between 4the cleats 6 and retained in the boat while the device is lowered to the bottom, as shown in Fig. 1. Then upon hauling in uniformly upon the lead and cork lines the circumference of the net is uniformly decreased, the lead lines travelingthrough the horizontal andl vertical grooves 9 substantially close the net at this point from the bottom to the boat. When the 'sack orpocket 4 is reached the lead line thereunder automatically detaches itself from the cleats by passing over the curved upper portions, as Shown in Fig. 2, and the Sack or pocket may be hauled into the boat in the usual manner.

What I claim is:

1. A seine hauling device comprising a base, spaced apart cleats thereon providing an unobstructed passage therebetween, and guides upon the adjacent sides of the cleats for the lead line of the seine during the haul and automatically detaching the lead line at the end of the haulby the bight of the lead line passing between said cleats,

2. A seine hauling device comprising a base, rigid spaced apart guides thereon providing an unobstructed passage therebetween, the guides provided upon their adjacent sides with grooves for guiding the lead line of the seine during the haul and automatically detaching the lead line at the end of the haul by the bight of the lead line passing between the guides.

3. A seine hauling device comprising a base, and spaced apart rigid cleats thereon providing an unobstructed passage therebetween having oppositely extending curved portions provided with grooves for the pas* sage of opposite sides of the lead line during the haul and a suflicient distance apart to allow the lead line at the end of the haul to pass therebetween and automatically detach itself.

4. A seine hauling device comprising a base, spaced apart cleats secured thereon having oppositely extending curved horizontal portions and upwardly curved elbows, each cleat having a groove therein for the passage of the lead line of the seine, whereby said lead line detaches itself at the end of the haul.

A seine hauling device comprising a base, cleats secured thereon spaced apart to allow of the passage of a bight of the lead line of the seine, said cleats having oppositely extending curved horizontal front portions, body portions and upwardly curved rear elbows, the adjacent sides of the front and body portions undercut to forni a groove for the passage of the lead line of the seine, said groove extending through the rear sides of the elbows, whereby the lead line detaches itself at the end of the haul.

MARTIN FOUNTAlN, JR. Witnesses:

A. A. BELLEIZ, GscAR H. RAMsAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

